Die block and stripper assembly



Feb. 1, 1966 H. E. HISER 3,232,527

DIE BLOCK AND STRIPPER ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 10. 1964 .1 1 l i f e I! J 14 INVENTOR. /jd flcrerfzf fizscr,

FIVE/s1 United States Patent M 3,232,527 DIE BLOCK AND STRIPPER ASSEMBLY Herbert E. Hiser, 27210 Lane, St. Clair Shores, Mich. Filed Jan. 10, 1964, Ser. No. 337,063 6 Claims. (Cl. 234-131) This invention relates to die and stripper block assemblies of the type used in punch tape units associated with trial copy recorders, teletypewriters, automatic typewriters and like devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a die and stripper block assembly of the type incorporating a plurality of code punches and a feed punch which are operated by a punch tape unit to progressively encode data in the form of a coded information means, as for example a strip of perforated tape.

An example of an environment for the subject invention is disclosed in the patent to Blodgett, No. 2,700,421 issued January 25, 1955, wherein particular attention is directed to FIGURES 33 to 39 and the description appertaining thereto. Atypical punch tape unit is illustrated therein and comprises a plurality of electromagnets and armatures corresponding to the number of punches of the unit, the armatures being selectively activated by an operator through operating keys on a keyboard. As the operator activates one or more electromagnets, a mechanism is released which allows a lever to slidably move the selected punches in a guide and stripper block to punch the tape. As is known in the art, certain of the punches are selectively operated and record the data 'on the tape, these punches will be hereinafter referred to as code hole punches. Also included in the assembly is a continuously operated punch which places a lin of holes in the tape for feed purposes and this punch will he hereinafter referred to as the feed hole punch.

Typically, the die and stripper 'block assembly comprises a set of nine punches which are slidably mounted in a stripper block unit. Mounted closely adjacent the stripper block unit is a die block which serves as the die for the punches to perforate a tape which is fed between the stripper block and the die block. The stripper blocks are usually fabricated of beryllium copper due to the superior wearing qualities of this material. However, beryllium copper is an extremely hard material makes the metal-working processes of drilling, reaming, grinding, etc. extremely difficult and expensive.

Conventionally, the stripper block units are formed with a pair of spaced legs, one of which is used as a punch guide and the other as a shedder or stripper block. When the unit is mounted for use the punch, either feed or code,

is slidably received in punch guide holes formed in these two legs and it is the feed hole punch and its associated guide and stripper block holes with which this invention is primarily concerned.

A typical punch tape unit contains eight code hole punches which record the information on the tape and one feed hole punch which forms a line of holes in the tap and are adapted to engage a feed sprocket thereby feeding or indexing the tape in a predetermined line of travel. These punches are made of hard steel and must be manufactured to extremely close tolerances if they are to operate properly in the punch tapeunit. A typical code hole punch of the conventional type has a shaft of .0937 inch diameter and a punch portion of .0718 inch diameter. A typical feed hole punch has the same shaft diameter but the punch portion is reduced to a .0458 inch diameter. Thus, it is seen that the manufacturer must contend with extremely small dimensions with close tolerances. This latter punch portion is approximately onethird of an inch long and it presents many manufacturing problems.

The first of these problems is maintaining perfect (within .0001 inch) concentricity of the punch portion with 3,232,527 Patented Feb. 1, 1966 the shaft portion. It is obvious that if the punch portion is excentric to the center of the shaft, the punch will not properly enter the die to punch the tape. As is seen from the aforementioned dimensions, the manufacturer must grind away more than half the diameter of the punch in order to produce the punch portion on the shaft. This large proportion of the shaft which must be ground away allows for an excessive degree of error to enter the manufacturing of these punches. Thus, the number of spoiled punches or rejects is excessive thereby increasing their cost.

A second problem in the manufacture of the prior art feed hole punches is the bending of the punch portions during the grinding process due to its extremely small diameter and relatively long length. It has been found that the punch portions of the feed punches bend sufliciently during the grinding stage of manufacture to adversely affect the control of the grinding proces and the problem of concentricity of the punch portion with the shaft is further increased.

The small diameter of the feed hole punch also has other inherent limitations due to its design. One of these is reduced wearing surface due to the small circumference of the punch. The punch portion of the feed hole punch is slidably guided in the stripper block feed hole and a wear surface is created between the stripper block and the punch. The wear surface between the code hole punch and the stripper block is approximately double that hole punch which is continuously operated. Also, the reduced dimensions of the feed hole punch render the shaft weak and more susceptible to breakage. In this situation, the punch tape unit must be disassembled to replace the broken punch and a delay is experienced which is often critical.

As was stated above, the stripper and guide block assembly are manufactured of beryllium copper stock, an extremely hard material. In a typically constructed unit, the guide block is formed with nine shaft guide holes drilled on .1 inch centers. The stripper block is formed with eight code punch stripper holes of .072 inch diameters and one feed punch stripper hole of .046 inch diameter. Experience has shown that the code stripper holes do not present great problems when they are drilled and reamed. However, the drilling and reaming of the .046 inch feed stripper hole presented many problems to the manufacturer. For example, it is imperative that the feed punch guide hole and the feed punch stripper hole be exactly concentric with each other as these two elements (form the guide for the punch in its travel to the die block. If the two are not concentric, the punch will not strike the die block at the proper point to enter the die or the punch will bind if it does enter. The result is that the tape will not be properly punched in addition to the probability of breaking the punch. With the feed punch stripper hole being of such a small diameter, the problerns of concentuicity with the corresponding guide hole is greatly magnified when compared to the problems involved in aligning the code punch stripper holes with the corresponding guide holes.

A further problem arises in the actual drilling of the feed punch hole itself. The drill used is of course of some diameter less than .0458 inch to allow for additional material removed by a sizing reamer. When a drill of this size is used to drill beryllium copper, a natural tendency is for the drill to bend due to the hardness of the material. Once the drill has entered the material at an angle the drill will continue to follow the original start ing angle and the stock is lost to any further use. This stock spoilage tends to greately increase the cost of each 3 individual unit to the point Where the prior art devices cost approximately three times that of a unit embodying the principles of the present invention.

The possibility of automating the manufacture of these stripper units is very remote as long as the requirement of a feed hole of this size in the stripper block continues. With-the conventional stripper block, several code punch holes must be drilled and reamed and then the drill and reamer must be changed to put the feed punch hole in the stripper block. It isseen that this would be a process that would be difficul-t to automate due to the necessary change of drill and reamer.

' The instant invention is calculated to alleviate all of the aforementioned problems which have been present in this field for the past ten to twelve years without solution. The invention accomplishes the desired results without-changing the character of the punched tape of the present invention from that of the prior art tape. This is extremely important as the invention may be practiced on all existing equipment without the problem of lack of compatibility of the punched tape with existing tape readers.

The instant invention contemplates providing the above described punch tape unit with a feed hole punch which eliminates the need for the small feed punch hole in the stripper block. According to certain principles of the present invention, the feed hole punch is provided with three separate diameter portions, The first of these is the shaft portion which is slidahly carried in the guide block of the stripper unitand is of the same diameter as the corresponding portion of the code hole punch. The second diameter portion is slidably received in the stripper block and is also the same diameter as the corresponding portion of the code hole punch. The third diameter portion is the punch itself and is of the same diameter as the prior art feed hole punch portions. Thus, it is seen that the stripper block unit is formed with a plurality of identical holes in the guide block and a plurality of identical holes in the stripper block. It is to be understood that the invention also includes those units wherein the code hole punches are formed of one uniform diameter and the'feed hole punches are formed of a single reduced diameter portion at one endthereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of" the present invention to provide a punch tape assembly that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a punch tape unit that is rugged and durable in use.

Still another object of they invention is a stripper assembly that provides greater wearing surfaces. I

A still further object of the invention is to provide a feed punch that is of stronger and moredurable construction.

- A further object of the invention is to provide a feed punch that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

The manner of accomplishing the foregoing objects and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description of one embodiment of the invention when read with reference to the accompany drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view taken-on the line 11 of FIG. 2,

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the unit of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view of a'portion of FIG- URE 1 but showing the feed punch and at least certain of the code punches in operative position in the guide and stripper blocks,

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the unit of FIGURE 1 witha mounting frame for the guide. and strips per blocks shown in phantom,

FIGURE 5. is a side view of a code hole punch, and

FIGURE 6 is a side view of a feed hole punch.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated a stripper and die blockassembly 1 formed of a stripper unit 2 and a die block 4 depicting a preferred embodiment of the invention. The embodiment shown for illustrative purposes is adapted to receive eight code hole punches and one feed hole punch but it is to be understood that the invention is applicable to any number of code or feed hole punches as is known in the art. For example, five to nine code hole punches are now prevalent in the art.

The stripper unit 2 comprises a guide block 6 formed with a plurality of code punch holes 8 (here shown to be eight in number) and a feed punch hole 10, all arranged in alignment and in uniformly spaced relation along the length of the guide block. Sim larily, the shedder or stripper block 12 is formed with a like number of holes 14 and 16 spaced longitudinally or axially from the guide holes 8 and 10. As seen in FIGURE 1, each of the stripped holes 14 and 16 is concentric to a corresponding mating holev in the guide block 6, as for example, the feed punch hole 10 in the guide block 6. is exactly concentric to the feed punch hole 16 in the stripper block 12. These holes 8, 1t 14 and 16 are adapted to receive and to slidahly support a plurality of punches therein and the two holes of each pair must be exactly concentric with each other in order that the punch disposed therein be freely slidable and they also must be aligned precisely if they are to perform their assigned function as hereinafter described.

As is seen in FIGURE 1, all of the holes 14 and 16 are identical, that is, the feed punch hole 16 is of the same size as the code punch holes 14.. As previously described, prior art stripper blocks were formed with a feed punch hole, which was half the diameter of the stripper punch holes. As was noted above, the attendant problems of the prior art device made the manufacturing costs of the unit excessively high. The unit of the present invention avoids many of these problems. For example, the ill-- creased diameter of the feed punch hole 16 eliminates the need of drilling a hole half the size which introducedconcentricity errors between the feed punch guide hole 10 and the feed punch stripper hole 16. Further, the larger hole 16 allows the use of a much larger drill than that used on the prior art devices and thus the problem of the drill bending during the drilling operation is eliminated.

The guide block 6 and stripper block 12 are connected by a pair of integral upright legs 18 and 20 which cooperate therewith to form a hollow, generally square frame. As shown, the legs 18 and 20 are formed with tapped holes 22 and 24 (FIG. 4) for mounting purposes. The stripper unit is mounted in a frame 26 (FIG. 4) of the punch tape unit (not shown) by means of screws 28 and 30 or the like.

Mounted closely adjacent to, but spaced from, the stripper block 12 is the die block 4 which forms the die for the punches in the punching operation. In this connection, it will be observed that the die 4 is formed with the same number of holes 32 and 34 as the guide and stripper blocks 6 and 12 and each of the die holes is formed at the top of the die bar 4 with a chad receiving chamber 36. The chad chambers 36 are made of a larger diameter than the die holes 32 and 34 to facilitate the removal of chad accumulated therein. It is to be noted that one of the die holes 34 is of a lesser diameter than holes 32 in the die. This die hole 34 forms the die for the novel feed hole punch of the instant invention to be hereinafter described.

In order to position the die block 4 properly with respect to the stripper block 12, a pair of dowel pins 38 are fitted into a pair of dowel pin holes 40 formed in both the stripper 12 and die block 4. Here again the close tolerances described above must be observed in the manufacture of both the dowel pins 38 and the holes 40 in order. to position the die 4 precisely on the stripper block 12. A pair of screws 42 also are provided to fasten the stripper unit 2 and the die block 4 together.

Particular attention is now directed to FIGURES 3 and 6 which illustrate the code hole punches and the novel feed hole punch 46 of the instant invention. All punches are shown in the punch position in FIGURE 3. The feed hole punch 46 is formed with three concentric portions 48, 50 and 52. The first portion 48 is a guide section which is slidably received in the hole 10 of the guide block 60. The second portion 50 is also a guide section which is slidably received in the hole 16 of the stripper block 12. These two guide sections 48 and 50 align the feed hole punch 46 properly with respect to the die hole 34 for a punching operation. The third portion 52 is the punch section which enters the hole 34 of the die block 4 on being slidably actuated in any suitable or conventional manner as, for example, by a cam lever type actuator which fits into the transverse slot 62. A typical actuator of the type referred to as shown in FIGURE 37 of the Blodgett patent supra. The portion 50 is of the same diameter as the corresponding portions of the other punches carried in the stripper block 12.

This increase diameter, particularly of the portion 50, gives the punch 46 certain distinct advantages. For example, the punch portion 5t} may be ground accurately to size without the problem heretofore encountered as a result of the exceedingly small diameter of this bending or deflection part in a conventional punch. In the instant construction of the diameter of the portion 50 is sufiicient to preclude any appreciable bending. While the punch tip portion 52 is smaller in diameter than the stripper portion 50, the fact that is much shorter than the stripper portion prevents any significant bending or flexing during grinding and enables it to be ground precisely concentric to the portion 50 and exactly uniformed in diameter throughout its length. Further, the various diameters of the sections 4-8, St) and 52 can be made concentric rnore easily than heretofore due to the fact that less stock must be removed in successively producing each diameter. Moreover, because section 50 is heavier and therefore sturdier the punch 46 is more durable and is less likely to fracture during the punching operation. Also, the increased diameter of the section 50 provides a greater wearing surface in both the punch 46 and the stripper block 12. For this reason, the punch 46 may withstand more cycles of operation before wear becomes significant. This feature is important as the feed hole punch 46 is operated for each line and therefore this punch is subject to the greatest wear of all the punches.

FIGURE 5 shows a code hole punch 44 of the type used in the assembly of FIGURE 1. The punch 44 is formed with a shaft portion 68 having a slot 62 formed therein which is adapted to receive a cam lever type actuator of the type hereinabove referred to. In this manner the punch 44 is slidably actuated in the stripper unit. A reduced diameter portion 64 is formed at the upper end of the punch 44 by a grinding or like operation. This reduced diameter portion 64 is of such a size as to closely fit the code hole 32 formed in the die block. As suggested, FIGURE 6 illustrates the novel feed hole punch 46 referred to above and it will be observed that the punch 45 is identical to the code hole punch 44 with the exception that an additional reduced diameter portion 52 at the upper end thereof. This additional reduced diameter 52 is adapted to be received into the feed hole 34 formed in the die block 4 as explained above. It is contemplated that the feed hole punches 46 may be formed from completed code hole punches 44 by the additional operation of grinding the small length of reduced diameter 52 at one end of the punch. In this manner the process of producing the various punches is simplified and the cost reduced.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tape punch of the type used in a copy recorder,

a stripper unit having spaced guide and stripper blocks,

a die block supported in spaced, generally parallel relation to said stripper block and cooperating therewith to define a slot through which coded information means to be punched is indexed,

a plurality of spaced punches slidably supported in said guide and stripper blocks, and movable across said slot with the tip portions thereof in aligned holes in said die block to perforate said code information means,

one of said punches being a feed hole punch and the other of said punches being code punches,

the portions of said feed and the other of said punches operable in said guide block all being uniform in diameter and the portions of said feed and other of said punches operable in said stripper block also all being uniform in diameter, and

said feed punch having a tip portion cooperable and in closed sliding relation with said die block and being smaller in diameter than the corresponding tip portions of said code punches, the tip portion of said feed punch being substantially shorter than the stripper block portion thereof.

2. In a tape punch of the type used in a copy recorder,

a stripper unit having spaced guide and stripper blocks,

a die block on and detachably fastened to said stripper unit, said die block being in spaced, generally parallel relation to said stripper block and cooperating therewith to define a slot through which coded information means to be punched is indexed,

a plurality of code punches in aligned holes in said guide and stripper blocks reciprocable across said coded information means slot and into and out of aligned holes in said die block to make code perforations in said coded information means,

a feed punch also in aligned holes in said guide and stripper blocks similarly reciprocable across said coded information means slot and into and out of an aligned hole in said die block to make feed perforations in said coded information means,

all of the holes in said guide block being of uniform diameter and the portions of said code and feed punches operable in said guide block holes also being of uniform diameter and closely, slidably fitting said holes,

all of the holes in said stripper block also being of a second uniform diameter and the portions of said code and feed punches operable in said stripper block holes also being of uniform diameter and closely, slidably fitting said stripper block holes,

all of the holes in said die block accepting tip portions of said code punches being of a third uniform diameter and the hole in said die block accepting the tip portion of said feed punch being smaller in diameter than said code punch holes, the portions of said code punches operable in the code punch holes of said die block being of said second uniform diameter and closely but slidably fitting said code punch holes, and

the portion of said feed punch operable in the feed punch hole of said die block being smaller in diameter than the corresponding portions of said code punches and closely but slidably fitting said feed punch hole.

3. A stripper unit adapted for use in a coded information means punch unit of the type described, said unit having spaced guide and stripper blocks,

a die block supported in spaced, generally parallel relation to said stripper block and cooperating therewith to define a slot through which coded' information means to be punched is indexed,

therein adapted 'to receive a plurality of code punches and a feed punch, all of the holes in said guide block being uniform in diameter than said code punch holes. 4. A die and stripper block assembly having a plurality guide means having a plurality of identical holes formed therein, one of which slidably engages said first portion,

stripper means supported spaced from said guide means diameter, having a plurality of identical holes formed therein all of the holes in said stripper block being of a second axially aligned with corresponding holes in said guide uniform diameter, means, one of which engages said second portion,

all of the code punch holes in said die block being of and said second uniform diameter, and die means mounted in spaced relation to said stripper the feed punch hole in said die block being smaller in 10 block and having a plurality of holes formed therein axially aligned with corresponding holes in said stripper means, one of said holes being adapted to of code hole punches and at least one feed hole punch all mounted for reciprocal movement therein said assembly comprising, 7

a stripper unit having a guide block and a stripper block in parallel spaced relation, said guide block having a first set of spaced apertures periodically engage said third diameter portion.

6. For use in a die and stripper block assembly for punching a coded information means of the type having a guide block and stripper block assembled in spaced parallel relation and a die block supported closely adjacent the stripper block,

formed therein of a uniform diameter,

second portion and a third portion of varying diameters, the smallest thereof being of minimal length as compared to the total length,

a feed hole punch having a guide portion of a uniform a second set of spaced apertures of a diiferent uniform diameter adjacent one end thereof and adapted to be diameter formed in said stripper block, each of said reciprocably slidably received in the guide block, second set of apertures being axially aligned with a stripper portion of a uniform diiferent diameter adcorresponding apertures of said first set, jacent said guide portion and adapted to be reciproa die block supported closely adjacent to and spaced cably slidably received in the stripper block and from said stripper block having a third set-of apercoact therewith to strip a punched coded informatures formed therein, each aperture of said third set tion means from said punch, being axially aligned with corresponding apertur s a punch portion of a smaller diameter than said stripper in said stripper block and having at least one of said diameter and relatively short length as compared apertures of lesser diameter than the remaining to the total length of said punch, apertures in said third set, said punch portion being adapted to periodically engage a tip of said feed hole punch being reciprocably rethe die block for punching the coded information ceived in said lesser diameter aperture and slidably means, and carried in its said corresponding apertures in said a means d d t b engaged b an actuator f guide and stripper blocks and the code hole punches ciprocably Operating id Punch being reciprocably received in the remainder of said third set of apertures and slidably carried in their References tl'ited by the Examiner corresponding apertures in said guide and stripper UNITED STATES PATENTS blocks.

5. A die and stripper block assembly comprising, 2325961 8/1943 Leathers 234 39 a plurality of punches mounted for reciprocal move- 40 3,001,694 9/1961 slmmerman et 234 ment in said assembly, 3,022,000 2/ 1962 Milhs 234114 t 1 t one of said punches having a first portion, a 3024971 3/1962 Kettmch 234-131 WILLIAM W. DYER, In, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM S. LAVSON, Examiner. 

1. IN A TAPE PUNCH OF THE TYPE USED IN A COPY RECORDER, A STRIPPER UNIT HAVING SPACED GUIDE AND STRIPPER BLOCKS, A DIE BLOCK SUPPORTED IN SPACED, GENERALLY PARALLEL RELATION TO SAID STRIPPER BLOCK AND COOPERATING THEREWITH TO DEFINE A SLOT THROUGH WHICH CODED INFORMATION MEANS TO BE PUNCHED IS INDEXED, A PLURALITY OF SPACED PUNCHES SLIDABLY SUPPORTED IN SAID GUIDE AND STRIPPER BLOCKS, AND MOVABLE ACROSS SAID SLOT WITH THE TIP PORTIONS THEREOF IN ALIGNED HOLES IN SAID DIE BLOCK TO PERFORATE SAID CODE INFORMATION MEANS, ONE OF SAID PUNCHES BEING A FEED HOLE PUNCH AND THE OTHER OF SAID PUNCHES BEING CODE PUNCHES, THE PORTIONS OF SAID FEED AND THE OTHER OF SAID PUNCHES OPERABLE IN SAID GUIDE BLOCK ALL BEING UNIFORM IN DIAMETER AND THE PORTIONS OF SAID FEED AND OTHER OF SAID PUNCHES OPERABLE IN SAID STRIPPER BLOCK ALSO ALL BEING UNIFORM IN DIAMETER, AND SAID FEED PUNCH HAVING A TIP PORTION COOPERABLE AND IN CLOSED SLIDING RELATION WITH SAID DIE BLOCK AND BEING SMALLER IN DIAMETER THAN THE CORRESPONDING TIP PORTIONS OF SAID CODE PUNCHES, THE TIP PORTION OF SAID FEED PUNCH BEING SUBSTANTIALLY SHORTER THAN THE STRIPPER BLOCK PORTION THEREOF. 